USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) had overseen a voluntary label program for grassfed livestock products since 2007. However, AMS withdrew the standard in January.
Another division within USDA, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is in the process of updating their guidance for the approval of animal production claims on food labels. AGA, the National Farmers Union and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, among others, asked FSIS to reinstate the grassfed claim as part of that effort.
According to AGA, FSIS staff has indicated it plans to include language to provide standards for a grassfed label. AGA believes the standards should be at least as high as those in place when AMS had oversight.
"We strongly oppose any guidance that allows any label claim with the words 'grassfed' for any product that does not at a minimum meet the definition within the now revoked AMS label claim standard. To allow a lower labeling standard would mislead consumers, to the detriment of grassfed producers," the group wrote. 
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